23 Jul 2013

‘Walnut excellent food for boosting immune system’

Ms Yemisi Olowookere, a Dietician with the Garki Hospital, Abuja, said on Tuesday that consumption of walnut would help boost stronger immune system and prevent anaemia.


Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that walnuts were rich in phosphorus and potassium, while they were low in sodium, which promotes cardiovascular health.

“The Vitamin B1/Thiamin present in walnuts are necessary for the function of the heart, as well as the stability of the nervous system.

“Walnuts are a good source of vitamins B1, B2, B3 and particularly vitamin B6.

“It also contains an amount of iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, manganese, all these components help with stronger immune system and prevent anaemia,’’ she said.

Olowookere said that walnut could improve reproductive function, and was also an excellent food for those suffering from coronary disease.

She said that walnut was one of the most concentrated food sources of nutrient provided by nature.

She added that the nut was with the highest caloric content (642kcal) due to its high fat content.

According to her, walnuts are one of the richest sources of vitamin B6 also known as pyridoxine, which is involved in proper brain function, as well as red blood cell production.

Olowookere said that walnuts could reduce the risk of diabetes and that the mono- and poly-unsaturated fats in nuts were good for insulin sensitivity.

She explained that a rich diet in walnuts might help the body deal better with stress and lower blood pressure.
According to her, walnut reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, prevents the formation of clots in blood vessels and stopped inflammatory processes.

NAN reports that a new study from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania had shown that walnuts has higher quality antioxidants and a mix of more healthful antioxidants than any other nut.

Olowookere said that walnuts were packed with omega-3 fatty acids and that a diet rich in omega-3 was beneficial in reducing depression.

She, however, recommended a daily consumption of diets rich in walnut as it would promote healthy living.

No comments:

Post a Comment

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...